Lighting fixture



E. F. zuRAwsKl ErAL 3,192,381

June 29; 19,65

LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheetsfsheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1962 June 29, 1965 E.F. zuRAwsKl l-:TAL 3,192,331

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed sept. 14. 1962 2 sheets-sheet 2 27 JI j gyWM/Mfwture than the lower portion of said embossment.

United States Patent O 3,192,381 LIGHTING FIXTURE Edward F. Znrawslriand Frank P. Schram, Chicagg, I ll., assiguors to Garcy Corporation, acorporation of Iliinois Filed Sept. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 223,611 Claims.(Cl. 24d-147) This invention relates to a lighting fixture, and isparticularly concerned with means for detachably securing a diffuserpanel to the fixture.

The lighting fixture comprises a rectangular frame having an outwardembossrnent in each end near one longitudinal side of the frame. Theembossments extend upwardly for a purpose hereinafter described. Theernbossments are longitudinally aligned and are of Substant-iallyidentical shape except that one of them is short and the other iselongated transversely toward the remote longitudinal edge of the frame.A flat spring positioned in the elongated embossment is secured to theend wall of the frame. The free end of the spring terminatesapproximately at the end of the transverse elongation in longitudinalalignment with one edge of the short embossment.

The diffuser panel has a pin project-ing outwardly from each end nearone longitudinal edge thereof. The panel and pin are preferably made ofplastic and are integral. The panel is detachably secured to the frameby inserting one of the pins in the short embossment and then turningthe panel angularly to position the second pin against the spring in theelongated embossment. The panel is then moved to bring the second pininto axial alignment with the first pin. When the pins are positioned intheir respective embossments, and are in axial alignment, the second pinis clear of the free end of the spring. The panel may then be suspendedwith one longitudinal edge of the frame supported on said pins inpivotal relationship to the adjacent edge of the fra'me. The free end ofthe spring, which springs outwardly to its normal position as soon asthe second pin is moved out of engagement therewith, is spaced from thewall of the embossment. The spring serves as a stop member and engagesthe pin if the panel is pushed upwardly while it is in its verticalposition. The abutment of the pin against the free end of the springprevents accidental displacement of the panel from the frame.

Although the fixture is described as having the pins arranged so thatthe diffuser plate has one longitudinal edge pivoted by theinterengagement of the pins and the ernbossments, it will be understoodthat the pins may project from the longitudinal edges of the diffuserpanel. In such case the diffuser panel would be hinged along one end ofthe panel.

Each longitudinal edge of the frame is provided with an inwardlyextending shoulder adjacent its lower edge, and the diffuser panel isprovided with an outwardly extending flange on each longitudinal edge.The longitudinal edge of the diffuser panel adjacent which the pins arelocated is moved upwardly until each pin abuts the upper edge of theembossment in which the pin is positioned. The opposite longitudinaledge of the diffuser panel is then swung upwardly about the pins aspivots. The upper portion of the embossment is closer to the adjacentedge of the fix- When the pins are in the upper portion of theembossments, the slope of the end wall of each embossrnent permits thediffuser panel to be shifted laterally over the adjacent shoulder farenough to allow the flange at the longitudinal edge of the diffuserpanel remote from the pins to clear the opposite shoulder as the panelis moved pivotally upwardly about the pins. As the last mentioned flangeclears the adjacent shoulder, the diffuser panel is shifted laterally inthe opposite direction, and is then lowered to rest the anges at eachlongitudinal edge of the diffuser panel on rice the shoulders of therectangular frame.y The spacing of the lower portion of the end wall ofthe embossment from the adjacent edge of the fixture limits the positionof the diffuser panel laterally of the frame when the flanges of thepanel rest on the shoulders of the frame. In this position, the panelcannot be shifted laterally far enough to permit the edge of the flangeremote from the pins to clear the shoulder on which it normally rests.

In order to obtain access to the interior of the xture, the longitudinaledge of the panel adjacent the pins is lifted. The end of each of theembossments is sloped to permit the adjacent edge ofthe panel to beshifted laterally when it is in said raised position. The panel isshifted laterally far enough for the remote flange to clear itsshoulder, and the panel is then moved pivotally downwardly about thepins until the panel is suspended in vertical position with each pinengaged with its embossment. If the panel is to be removed from theframe, the end of the panel adjacent the elongated embossment is turnedangularly to move its pin toward the free end of the flat spring. Thefree end of the spring is depressed, either manually or by a suitabletool, and is held down until said pin moves on to the fiat surface ofthe spring. The angular movement is continued, with said pin riding overthe spring, until the other pin is moved out of engagement with theshort embossment.

The structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantagesof the invention are attained will be fully described in the followingspecification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsshowing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FGURE 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing adiffuser panel mounted in a lighting fixture and showing, in dottedlines, the diffuser panel just before it is moved into the mountedposition shown in solid lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional View of the diffuserpanel mounted in the frame of a lighting fixture.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view showing onecorner of the diffuser panel and the inside corner of the frame in whichthe panel is to be mounted;

FlG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showingone side of the diffuser panel mounted in the frame of the lightingfixture;

FG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view through theframe of the lighting fixture, showing the diffuser panel in elevation;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom elevational view showing the diffuserpanel mounted in the lighting fixture; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the diffuserpanel.

Referring to the drawings, the lighting fixture comprises a rectangularframe 2 and conventional structure for supporting a plurality offiuorescent light tubes 3. Since the present invention is concernedsolely with the means for mounting a diffuser panel 4f in a lightingfixture, the structure of the fixture will not be specificallydescribed, except for the rectangular frame. The other portions of thefixture may be of any conventional structure.

The rectangular frame comprises two identical longitudinal side walls 56and two end Walls 7, S. Side walls 5 and 6 have inwardly extendingshoulders 9 and 10, respectively. The shoulders are parallel and arehorizontal when the fixture is in its normal horizontal position. Theend wall 8 is provided with an outward embossment 11 adjacentlongitudinal edge 5 and end wall 9 is provided with an outwardembossment 12, also adjacent longitudinal edge 5.

As `shown best in FlGS. 2 and 3, the embossment ll is form'edto'providea substantially horizontal bottom wall 13, an end wall yld that extendsupwardly and outwardly toward longitudinal side wall 5, and a top walll5v that slopes'downwardly and inwardly to the region indicated at' 16in' ElG. 2. The description of'e'mboss'rnen't lill up to thispointfapplies also to ernbossrnent 12. The only difference betweentheembossments is that the inner edge of embossment l12 terminates in theregion ld' and t'op'wall 1 5 extends downwardly to meet bottom wall i3to form' a closed ligure. 'Embossment ll, however, is elongated in thetransverse direction. inwardly of the region 16 walls 1 7 and13'extendparallel to eachother for' a substantial distancel Y Aflat spring 1S isriveted inside the embossnjient lll, as indicatedat 19, with its 'freeend terminating adjacent the region 16. The spring is ilexed sothat whenits free end is not restrained it is spaced outwardly from thewall ofthe embossrnent'to which it isrivete'dj v'The diffuser panel 4 comprisesa rectangular bottom 20 having opstanding longitudinal sidewalls 21, 22and opstanding end walls' 23, V2d. Side walls 2l. vand'ZZ are providedwith horizontal outwardly extendingfianges andy 26', respectively. Theoverall width ofthe diffuser panel'ly is greater than thedistance'between the inner edges of shoulders 9'and 10, but the width ofthe diffuser panel exclusive of flanges 25 and26 is less than vsaiddistance. wall 23" has a pin 27l extending outwardly therefrom adjacentlside wall 21, and end wall 24 has a pin 2,8 extending outwardlytherefrom in axial alignment with pin 21. Although the'diifuser panel ispreferably an integral structure 4rnolded'of suitable plastic, it willbe understood that it may be of any suitable material and may befabricated of a plurality of components. When the diffuser panel 4 is tobe mounted in the frame 2, the panelis movedto insert the pin v28 intolthe short embossm'ent 12 and the panel is then turned angularly toposition the pin 27 intothe elongated portion ofjembossmentll. Theturningy movement of panel 4 is continued to slide pin 27 over thespring 1S. As the pin 2,7 moves over thesp'ring it presses the springflat against the wall of the embossrnent.- As soon as'the pin 27' passesthe free end of thespring, the spring snapsback to its normal.position,'in which. it is spaced from the Wall of the emr-- lossment lfThe panell may be suspended by the engagement of pins 27 and 2S with theembossments 1l and ,12, respectively, with side wall 22 hanging downfreely; In'thispositionfthe interior of the fixture is accessible forreplacement of fluorescent light tubes 3. v

The side of panel i adjacent the pins v27 and 23 is then moved upwardlyuntil each of said pins abuts the upper edge lof its embossme'nt.A Theoutward: slope of end walls 14 of the abutments permits the lpanel tobe'shiftedjlater- Although we have described a preferred embodiment ofthe inventionin considerable detail, it will be under stood that thedescription thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather thanrestrictive, as many details of construction may be modified or changedwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.AAccordingly, we do not desire to" be restricted lto ythe exactstructure described. Y

We claim:

l. A lighting fixture comprisingY a vrectangular frame having anopenbottom and a diffuser panel mounted in said frame, saidrframecomprising two longitudinal Vwal-ls each provided with an internalshoulder and two end walls each provided with an outward embossmentadjacent one of said longitudinal walls, said diffuser panel having twolongitudinal side walls and two ends, at lateral flange extendingoutwardly from ea-chy side wall of said diffuser panel, the total widthof said diffuserpanel. and both of said flanges being greaterthantheinternal distance between the shoulders of said frame, the width of'saiddiffuser panel exclusive of vsaid flanges being less than the internaldistance between the shoulders of'said frame,

said diffuser p anel being adapted to tvwithn the open bottom'of saidframe .with saidV llange's seated on said shoulders, anda pin extendinglongitudinally from each end of said diffuser panel, said pins beingaxially aligned, on-e of said embossments having an elongation extendingtoward the remote longitudinal edge of said frame, said elongationpermitting one of'sa'id'pin's to be moved trans versely of said frameinto engagement withv said one embossment when said other pin ispositioned in said other emibossment, said ernibossments eachv having'anv upper p ortionextended toward the adjacent edge of said frame,

ally outwardly, as the pins move upwardly inthe embossf ments. Thislateral shift is fsufcient to cause' the flange 26 toclearA the shoulderlt) as the diffuser panel is swung pivotally upwardly about the pins 27'and 2S. The panel is lowered horizontally when the flange` 26 is abovethe shoulder lt), andthe panelis shifted laterally in theopposite'direction by the slope of end wall 14 so that flange 25 isseated on shoulder 9Y and flangef26 is seated on.

shoulder lil. The diffuser panel is released by a reversal of the stepsdescribedabove. f

When the diffuser panel is suspended from one side, the spring lpreventsaccidental turning movement of the panel toV anex'tent sflicient todisplace the pin 27 from the elongated embossrnent ll. The resilience ofLthe spring spacesits free end from the wall yof the emboss-v mentso'that if'th'e panel is turned the pin 27 will, abut the spring whichthen'acts as a stop member. If the panel is'to bei removed from theframe, the free end of the spring is pressed against the wall oftheembossrnent,

-either'manually or by any suitable tool, until the panel is turned farenough for the pin2'7 to ride over the free end of the spring.

the upper portions of said embossments permitting said diffuser panel tobe shifted laterally of said frame above the level at which `saiddiffuser panel is normally seated in said frame. Y

2.Y A lighting yfix-ture comprising a rectangular frame having an openbottom and a diffuser panel Vrnt'n`n-ited in said frame, said framecomprising two longitudinal walls each provided with an internalshoulder and two end walls each provided with anoutward-`enrbossment,adjacent one of said 'longitudinal walls, saiddiffuserl panel having two longitudinalv side walls and two ends,ala-feral llange ex# tending outwardly'from each side ,walls of saiddiffuser panel, the total width ofl said diffuser panel and both ofsaidfianges beinggreater than the internal distance betweenA theshoulders'of said frame, the width o f said diffuser panel exclusive ofsaid flanges being less thanthe internal distance between the yshoulderso f'said frame, said diffuser panel being Yadapted to nt withinl theopen bottorn of said frame with said flanges seated von said shoulders,a pin extending longitudinally from each endof said diffuser panel, saidpins :being axilally aligned, one ofV said embossments elongationextendingA toward the remote longitudinal edge'of said ifram e,tsaidVelongation` permitting one of said pins tor be moved transversely ofsaid frame into engagement with said` one embossment when said other pinKVis 'positioned in said other embossment, and means lp'ositionedsinsaid elongation and engageableL with the pin in theembossment adjacentsaid elongation pre# venting accidental displacementv of eitherpin fromits -embos'smenh said lembossmentsyeach having an upper portion extendedtowardlthe'adjacent edge of said frame, the upper portions of saidenlbossmentsY permitting said diffuser panel to 'be shiftedlate-rally'of said frame above the .level at which said diffuser panelis normally seated in said frame.V

A lighting Ifixture comprising a rectangular frame having anopenj'bottom'an'd a diffuser Vpanelzrnounted in said frame, said framecomprising two longitudinal walls each providedwithran internal shoulderand ltwo endwalls each providedwith anoutward embossment adjacent one ofsaid longitudinal walls, said dilfuserpanel having two longitudinalnsidewalls and two ends, a lateral flangeV extending outwardly from each sidewall of said dilfuser panel the total width of said diffuser panel andboth of said tianges being greater than the internal distance betweenthe shoulders of said frame, the width of said diffuser panel exclusiveof said flanges being less than the internal distance between theshoulders of said frame, said diffuser panel being adapted to t withinthe open bottom of said frame with said anges seated on said shoulders,a pin extending longitudinally from each end of said diffuser panel,said pins -being axially aligned, one of said embossments having anelongation extending toward the remote longitudinal edge of said frame,said elongation permitting one of said pins to be moved transversely ofsaid frame into engagement -with said one embossment when said other pinis positioned in said other embossrnent, and resilient means secured insaid elongation to prevent accidental displace-ment of said one pin fromsaid one embossment, said means being so shaped as to permit movement ofsaid one pin from said elongation into said one embossment and tonormally prevent movement of said one pin from said one embossment intosaid elongation, said embossments each having an upper portion extendedtoward the adjacent edge of said frame, the upper portions of saidembossments permitting said diffuser panel to be shifted laterally ofsaid frame above the level at which said diffuser panel is normallyseated in said frame.

4. A lighting fixture comprising .a rectangular frame having .an openbottom and a diffuser panel mounted in said frame, said frame comprisingtwo longitudinal walls each provided with an internal shoulder and twoend walls each provided with an outward embossrnent adjacent one of saidlongitudinal walls, said diffuser panel having two longitudinal sidewalls and two ends, a lateral flange extending outwardly Vfrom each side.wall of said diffuser panel, the total width of said diffuser panel andboth of said flanges being greater than the internal distance betweenthe shoulders of said frame, the width of said diffuser panel exclusiveof said flanges being less than the internal distance between theshoulders of said frame, said diffuser panel being adapted to t withinthe open bottom of said frame with said flanges seated on saidshoulders, a pin extending longitudinally from each end of saidVdiffuser panel, said pins being axially aligned, and means whereby eachof said pins may be engaged with one of said embossments, saidembossments each having its end closest to the adjacent edge of saidframe inclined toward said adjacent edge in an upward direction, theshape of said embossments permitting said diffuser panel to be shiftedlaterally toward said adjacent edge as it is moved upwardly from itsposition on said shoulders and causing it to be automatically shiftedlaterally in the opposite direction to seat said flanges on saidshoulders when said panel is lowered in horizontal position with itspins positioned in said embossments.

5. A lighting fixture comprising a rectangular frame and a diffuserpanel mounted in said frame, said frame having two longitudinal walls,t-wo end walls and an open bottom, each of said end walls having anoutward embossment adjacent one of said longitudinal walls, saiddiffuser panel having a pin extending longitudinally from each end, saidpinsbeing axially aligned, the longitudinal distance between the outerends of said pins being greater than the internal length of said frame,one of said embossments having an elongation extending transversely ofsaid frame toward the remote longitudinal edge of said frame, saidelongation permitting onev of said pins to be engaged therewith whensaid other pin is engaged with said other embossment, said one pin beingmovable in said elongation by a turning movement of said panel until itis engaged with said one embossment, the total width of said diffuserpanel being less than the width of said open bottom, means projectinginwardly from the longitudinal walls of said frame to support said panelin horizontal position within said open bottom, the upper portion ofsaid ernbossments being extended toward said adjacent longitudinal edgeto provide clearance for lateral movement of said diffuser panel beyondthe position occupied by said panel during normal use of said fixture bya distance at least equal to the overlap between vsaid means and thelongitudinal wall remote from said ernbossments, whereby said panel maybe shifted laterally with said pins in said embossments to position bothlongitudinal walls within said rectangular frame above said means, andthen moved downwardly to rest on said means.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,701,840 2/55Carlson 240-147 2,828,408 3/58' McCormack 240--147 2,978,5 4/ 61 Cohen2120-38 NORTON ANSI-IER, Primary Examiner.

EVON C. BLUNK, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent NO,3,192,381 June 29, 1965 Edward F Zurawsk et al,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 4, line 16, for "at" read a line S4, for "axilally" read axiallyline 55, after "embossments" insert having an column 6, line 28, for"portion" read portions Signed and sealed this 30th day of November1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Anesting Oficer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A LIGHTING FIXTURE COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR FRAME HAVING AN OPENBOTTOM AND A DIFFUSER PANEL MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME, SAID FRAME COMPRISINGTWO LONGITUDINAL WALLS EACH PROVIDED WITH AN INTERNAL SHOULDER AND TWOEND WALLS EACH PROVIDED WITH AN OUTWARD EMBOSSMENT ADJACENT ONE OF SAIDLONGITUDINAL WALLS, SAID DIFFUSER PANEL HAVING TWO LONGITUDINAL SIDEWALLS AND TWO ENDS, AT LATERAL FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM EACH SIDEWALL OF SIAD DIFFUSER PANEL, THE TOTAL WIDTH OF SAID DIFFUSER PANEL ANDBOTH OF SAID FLANGES BEING GREATER THAN THE INTERNAL DISTANCE BETWEENTHE SHOULDERS OF SAID FRAME, THE WIDTH OF SAID DIFFUSER PANEL EXCLUSIVETO SAID FLANGES BEING LESS THAN THE INTERNAL DISTANCE BETWEEN THESHOULDERS OF SAID FRAME, SAID DIFFUSER PANEL BEING ADAPTED TO FIT WITHINTHE OPEN BOTTOM OF SAID FRAME WITH SAID FLANGES SEATED ON SAIDSHOULDERS, AND A PIN EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY FROM EACH END OF SAIDDIFFUSER PANEL, SAID PINS BEING AXIALLY ALIGNED ONE OF SAID EMBOSSMENTSHAVING AN ELONGATION EXTENDING TOWARD THE REMOTE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OFSAID FRAME, SAID ELONGATION PERMITTING ONE OF SAID PINS TO BE MOVEDTRANSVERSELY OF SAID FRAME INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ONE EMBOSSMENT WHENSAID OTHER PIN IS POSITIONED IN SAID OTHER EMBOSSMENT, SAID EMBOSSMENTSEACH HAVING AN UPPER PORTION EXTENDED TOWARD THE ADJACENT EDGE OF SAIDFRAME, THE UPPER PORTIONS OF SAID EMBOSSMENTS PERMITTING SAID DIFFUSERPANEL TO BE SHIFTED LATERALLY OF SAID FRAME ABOVE THE LEVEL AT WHICHSAID DIFFUSER PANEL IS NORMALLY SEATED IN SAID FRAME.